Forum focuses on the importance of education

BUCKHANNON — “I’ve heard a lot of excuses for why people drop out of school, but I have heard very few good ones.”

Mark Harper, owner of Harper Lumber, talked about the importance of having a high school education at a recent Destination Graduation forum hosted by Upshur County Schools in the southern end of the county.

“Education is really, really important,” he said.

“I think as parents we need to make sure that our kids stay in school,” he said. “This vocational school we have does a lot of programs. If you need to get a lawyer, you can go down to Main Street and find 10 or 15. If you try to find a plumber, good luck. These kinds of skills offer good-paying jobs.